Career and Program Description
The Geology and General Science Program at PCC prepares students to make informed and responsible decisions regarding the Earth’s resources and hazards, while emphasizing an Earth systems science perspective. Earth systems science explores the interconnectedness of the solid Earth, our oceans and atmosphere, present and past life on Earth, and our place in the solar system and beyond. Courses in the Geology and General Science Program examine how Earth's systems affect communities of people, as well as how humanity affects the world around us. Students in the Geology and General Science Program will gain spatial thinking, quantitative reasoning, and technical communication skills which will aid them in problem solving in future career and community settings.
The Geology and General Science Program teaches a variety of courses. GS 106 introduces students to the earth systems approach and develops skills used throughout the Geology and General Science Program. GS 107, GS 108, GS 109 are four credit courses with labs that focus on specific earth systems while G 147, G 148, G 184 are four credit courses with labs that focus on particular topics. G 201, G 202, G 203 are four credit courses with labs providing a foundational introduction to geology designed for students interested in pursuing 4 year degrees in the Earth Sciences. G 207 is a three credit course without a lab focused on the geology of the Pacific Northwest. All the previously-mentioned four and three credit courses are on the PCC General Education course list. G 160, G 161, G 200A, G 200D, G 200E, G 200F, G 200G introduce students to the regional geology of the Pacific Northwest using field-based learning experiences. The independent study course, G 298A, allows students to pursue individualized study and research projects. Geology courses can be taken individually or in any sequence. Students should check the specific program requirements of their transfer institution prior to finalizing their course of study at PCC.
The Earth Science Focus Award recognizes students who have gained considerable knowledge in earth sciences by completing a cluster of 13 credits within the Geology and General Science Program and an additional GIS course. For more information and specific requirements, please see the Focus Award section of the catalog.
G 147. Geology of the National Parks of the United States. 4 Credits.
Explores the geology found in the United States' national park system. Examines basic geologic processes which created park landscapes, and the role of society in creation, maintenance and enjoyment of the national park system. Prerequisites: GS 106 or MTH 58 or MTH 65, or any MTH course for which MTH 58 or MTH 65 is a prerequisite, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Science, Math, and Computer Sci/SCI
G 148. Volcanoes and Earthquakes. 4 Credits.
Explores the Earth's volcanism and seismicity examining its nature, geographic distribution, frequency, magnitude, and relation to plate tectonics. Covers the assessment of hazards and risks associated with volcanoes and earthquakes and how communities can manage these hazards and risks. Prerequisites: GS 106 or MTH 58 or MTH 65, or any MTH course for which MTH 58 or MTH 65 is a prerequisite, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Science, Math, and Computer Sci/SCI
G 160. Geology: Oregon Coast. 2 Credits.
Designed to introduce the relationships between the biology and geology of the Oregon Coast.
G 161. Geology: Great Basin/Cascades. 2 Credits.
Introduces the relationships between the biology and geology of the Great Basin and/or Cascades geographical area. Explores the geologic history of the Great Basin and/or Cascades geographical areas and the relationships between geology and the plants and animals of these areas. Includes a four-day field trip to the Great Basin and/or Cascades geographical area for field experience of concepts covered in the lecture portion of the class.
G 184. Global Climate Change. 4 Credits.
Covers characteristics of Earth's climate system. Includes the atmosphere, ocean, biosphere, and solid Earth as well as past, present, and future climate change and future mitigation and adaptation efforts. Prerequisites: GS 106 or MTH 58 or MTH 65, or any MTH course for which MTH 58 or MTH 65 is a prerequisite, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Science, Math, and Computer Sci/SCI
G 200A. Geology Field Studies. 2-6 Credit.
Introduces basic concepts of geology through field experience. Includes both lecture and field components. Content varies based on site location. Recommended: Prior geology experience. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
G 200D. Geology Field Studies. 1 Credit.
Introduces basic concepts in geology through lecture and field trip. Content varies based on site location. Prior geology experience recommended. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
G 200E. Geology Field Studies: Loowit (Mount St. Helens). 1 Credit.
Covers basic concepts in geology through lecture and a field trip in the vicinity of Loowit (Mount St. Helens). Prior geology experience recommended. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
G 200F. Geology Field Studies: Pacific Northwest Coast. 1 Credit.
Introduces basic geology concepts through lecture and a field trip in the vicinity of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Prior geology experience recommended. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
G 200G. Geology Field Studies Columbia River Gorge. 1 Credit.
Introduces basic concepts in geology through lecture and a field trip in the vicinity of the Columbia River Gorge. Prior geology experience recommended. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
G 201. Earth Materials and Tectonics. 4 Credits.
Introduces physical geology which deals with minerals, rocks, internal structure of the earth, and plate tectonics. Prerequisites: GS 106, or MTH 95, or MTH 98, or any MTH course for which MTH 95 or MTH 98 is a prerequisite, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Science, Math, and Computer Sci/SCI
G 202. Earth Surface Processes. 4 Credits.
Introduces physical geology which deals with mass wasting, streams, glaciers, deserts, beaches, groundwater, and use of topographic maps. Prerequisites: GS 106, or MTH 95 or MTH 98, or any MTH course for which MTH 95 or MTH 98 is a prerequisite, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Science, Math, and Computer Sci/SCI
G 203. Evolution of Planet Earth. 4 Credits.
Introduces historical geology which deals with geologic time, fossils, stratigraphic principles, and the geologic history of the North American continent. Recommendation: completion of G 201 or G 202 or GS 106. Prerequisites: GS 106, or MTH 95, or MTH 98, or any MTH course for which MTH 95 or MTH 98 is a prerequisite, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Science, Math, and Computer Sci/SCI
G 207. Geology of the Pacific Northwest. 3 Credits.
Introduces the regional geology of the Pacific Northwest with emphasis on Oregon geology. Includes basic geologic principles, earth materials and geology of Pacific Northwest provinces. Recommended: High school Geology course or equivalent experience. Prerequisites: GS 106 or MTH 58 or MTH 65, or any MTH course for which MTH 58 or MTH 65 is a prerequisite, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Science, Math, and Computer Sci/SCI
G 298A. Geology Independent Study. 1-4 Credit.
Provides an opportunity to work independently on an individualized area of study within geology under the sponsorship of geology faculty. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement, and Instructor permission.
GS 106. Introduction to Earth Science Systems. 4 Credits.
Provides an introductory survey of earth science topics and career pathways. Topics include: plate tectonics, natural hazards, planetary geology, oceanography, hydrology, and climate change, among others. Covers skills needed to be successful in future science classes, including the collection, analysis, and evaluation of real world data sets. Focuses on hands-on experimental work, field work, and map reading. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Science, Math, and Computer Sci/SCI
GS 107. Physical Science (Astronomy). 4 Credits.
Provides a survey of astronomy, including: the historical development of the universe, Earth as a planet, Earth's moon, planets of the solar system, the sun, stars, and galaxies. Prerequisites: GS 106 or MTH 58 or MTH 65, or any MTH course for which MTH 58 or MTH 65 is a prerequisite, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Science, Math, and Computer Sci/SCI
GS 108. Physical Science (Oceanography). 4 Credits.
Explores the chemical, biological, physical, and geological nature of the oceans. Prerequisites: GS 106 or MTH 58 or MTH 65, or any MTH course for which MTH 58 or MTH 65 is a prerequisite, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Science, Math, and Computer Sci/SCI
GS 109. Physical Science (Meteorology). 4 Credits.
Covers characteristics of our atmosphere including air pressure and winds, atmospheric moisture, large air masses, violent storms, climates, and the effect of oceans on weather. Prerequisites: GS 106 or MTH 58 or MTH 65, or any MTH course for which MTH 58 or MTH 65 is a prerequisite, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Science, Math, and Computer Sci/SCI